At least 13 people were killed and 40 injured in overnight Russian strikes on Kyiv, as Ukrainian officials report critical shortages of air defense interceptors.

At least 13 people were killed and 40 injured after Russian forces launched a major overnight strike on Kyiv. The attack, which involved approximately 20 missiles, damaged apartment blocks, warehouses, a children's hospital, and a school, while cutting power to thousands of properties across the region.

Air defense shortages and military impact

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the casualties were a direct result of a shortage of air defense missiles, which the country relies on Western allies to provide. The Ukrainian Air Force indicated that none of the ballistic missiles used in the overnight attack were intercepted. Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko described the country as "absolutely unprotected" against such attacks without additional interceptors. Russia's defense ministry stated that it used air, land, and sea-based weapons to target military facilities and warehouses. While Ukraine has historically relied on American Patriot interceptor missiles, reports indicate that US supplies have decreased as stockpiles are utilized in the Middle East.

Political and local response

Following the strikes, a day of mourning was declared for Friday. Beyond the immediate damage, the incident has intensified political pressure on the government, with former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov calling for an election and alleging that corruption has deprived the military of necessary weaponry. President Zelensky emphasized that without sufficient anti-ballistic capabilities, Russia is unlikely to consider peace negotiations.